1980 - as BJP was floated ..... Vajpayee was the Vikas Purush and L K Advani -- the Loh Purush ::: To do politics around Hindu Hriday Samrat was still far off

And they made it happen. Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and veteran L K Advani deserve all credit for floating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 6th, 1980.  

The 13 April 1980 editorial of the RSS-run 'Organiser' said: "Although many would like to give the old Jana Sangh name to the new party, it was but appropriate that the new party should get a new name . . . there are significant new elements which can only broaden its base." 

first rally Ram Lilla Maidan, Delhi - 1980

It is said 'one man' Vajpayee found hard to expunge was Nanaji Deshmukh. The co-founder of the Jana Sangh was older than Vajpayee, and perhaps the only man remaining in the party (old Jan Sangh) who could call him ‘Atal’ without the honorific ‘ji’ at the end. 

But Nanaji was by now disillusioned with the way the Janata Party had put ambition before principle. Equally, he resented how methodically Vajpayee had demoted him. 

Nanaji could have made a public scene, as was standard in other parties. Instead, he announced his retirement from politics, claiming that he had turned sixty and wanted to set an example. Nanaji decided to move to Chitrakoot, a forested area in central India, and work with tribals. 

Many years later in January 2019, Nanaji was awarded Bharat Ratna - the highest civilian award by the Modi government. 

Originally called Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh was deputed to Uttar Pradesh to function as a RSS Pracharak. It may be mentioned here that during 2002 Gujarat riots, Late Deshmukh had visited the western state and had disapproved the violence in the state.

"Gujarat has been caught in a heart rendering genocide orchestrated as a reaction to the ghastly carnage staged at Godhra. Do we want to divide our country once again on a Hindu-Muslim basis?," Nanaji had said on April 9, 2002 during his visit to Ahmedabad, as recalled in blogger's book 'Godhra - Journey of a Prime Minister'. 

It is also worth mentioning here that BJP stalwart L K Advani in his autobiography, 'My Country My Life', had written --- “If the birth of the Janata government was a lesson in defending democracy, its demise was a harsh reminder about the propensity of power-hungry leaders to undo the gains of a popular democratic movement.”

Atal ji and Nawaz Sharif - 1999

Architect of Rath Yatra politics - who missed Prime Ministership 

Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi had threatened democracy.

Before the end of the Emergency (June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977), major events would take place.

Just before the sixth Lok Sabha polls in March 1977, in a successful move in  Indian politics, the Opposition presented a united front against the Congress. 

Of the seven national parties then, four — Congress (O), Bhartiya Jana Sangh (BJS), Socialist Party and Bharatiya Lok Dal (BLD) — informally merged into one party, along with a few groups like Congress For Democracy (CFD), which was named the Janata Party. 

It is true one of the problems was the erstwhile Jan Sangh leaders in the Janata Party taking part in RSS activities. In a seeming reference to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Advani, among others, socialist stalwart Madhu Limaye objected to this soon after the party’s formation.  This was labeled as 'dual membership'.

The Janata parliamentary board on March 19, 1980, decided by a majority vote that none of its functionaries could take part in the day-to-day activities of the RSS.

This complicated the situation for the Janata Party’s BJS camp since its history made it virtually impossible to dissociate from the RSS. 

After Indira Gandhi returned to power the 'exit' of Advani and Vajpayee from the Janata Party looked imminent. The BJP was floated on April 6, 1980. 

Vajpayee became the founding president and L K Advani the general secretary.

Gauging by the politics of that era, bot the veterans worked on a political ideology even giving it the phrase of commitment to Gandhian socialism.

Both Vajpayee and Advani worked on a right synthesis for commitment to Hindu nationalism and the discipline of RSS values. But they had to embrace the  'policies and politics of Jayaprakash Narayan'. 

Vajpayee knew this could also come handy to keep the RSS at some length when the real polity and running of the organisation came. 

By then, both also believed that they had become 'expert' at working together to balance parliament, BJP interest, pro-Hindutva movement and voters. 

Advani was the Loh Purush - iron-willed leader -- and Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Vikas Purush (development man) and also a more 'acceptable' face for future political maneuvering.  

The Vajpayee-Advani chemistry was very effective. In Hindi journalism that came to be known as 'Jugal Bandi'. 

Many years later on May 23rd, 2019 after the BJP won an enormous mandate in the general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah walked in step with each other raising hands and making victory sign when they visited the new BJP headquarters in Delhi to a shower of flowers.

illustration: 'The Print'

Earlier, the BJP had the trust of the party members, intellectuals admired it but Narendra Modi aided by Amit Shah has helped the party gain the trust of the entire nation.

2002 and politics around Modi was a 'redefining' moment 

The real strength in BJP's politics and for matter in the bond between RSS and the Lotus party is the fact that the RSS does not interfere in the BJP’s day-to-day functioning. 

Though there have been many BJP members with an RSS background, the Sanghparivar fountainhead has remained a distinctly different and 'separate' engaged more in social work but playing the ideological mentor.

1999 ::::: Vajpayee, blogger and a few Delhi colleagues 

ends 

Rooted in Ramayana days, Pamban Bridge holds deep spiritual significance :::: PM inaugurates India's first vertical lift sea bridge

 PM Modi inaugurates India's first vertical lift sea bridge in Tamil Nadu

Rooted in Ramayana days, the Pamban Bridge holds deep spiritual significance, as the Ramayana recounts the construction of Ram Setu beginning from Dhanushkodi, near Rameswaram.

New Pamban Bridge connects Rameswaram with mainland Bharat  

"On the way back from Sri Lanka a short while ago, was blessed to have a Darshan of the Ram Setu. And, as a divine coincidence, it happened at the same time as the Surya Tilak was taking place in Ayodhya. Blessed to have the Darshan of both. Prabhu Shri Ram is a uniting force," PM tweeted.

India’s first vertical lift sea bridge in Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram was inaugurated today (Apr 6) on the occasion of Ram Navami. 

The rail bridge, known as Pamban, has been built at a cost of Rs 550 crore.  

Close to 30 trains, with up and down journeys, are expected from Rameswaram station. The island will have direct trains from Secunderabad, Kanniyakumari, Bhubaneswar, Okha, and Firozpur Cantt, apart from Ayodhya, Varanasi and Chennai.

Executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, the project navigated significant challenges—from environmental constraints and logistical hurdles to the rough waters and strong winds of the Palk Strait.

The bridge holds deep spiritual significance, as the Ramayana recounts the construction of Ram Setu beginning from Dhanushkodi, near Rameswaram.  

Connecting Rameswaram to mainland India, the bridge has been built at a cost of Rs 550 crore. The 2.08-km-long structure features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that elevates to 17 metres, enabling the smooth passage of large ships without disrupting train services.

Designed to be future-ready, the bridge incorporates stainless steel reinforcements, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints for enhanced durability and reduced maintenance. It is also equipped for dual rail tracks, anticipating future traffic needs. A special polysiloxane coating guards it against corrosion, ensuring a long service life in the challenging marine environment.

The original Pamban Bridge, constructed in 1914 by British engineers, was a cantilever structure featuring a Scherzer Rolling Lift span. For over a century, it served as a crucial link for pilgrims, tourists, and traders travelling to and from Rameswaram Island.

 Trains will cross the Bay of Bengal to reach the stations on Pamban island

Two railway stations in Tamil Nadu – Mandapam and Pamban – are close to five kilometres apart and have been connected by trains since 1914 when the Pamban Bridge was built by the British. A couple of trains were crossing the stations daily. But the Pamban Bridge was getting old and couldn’t bear the burden of these trains.

Of the five km distance between the two stations, two kilometres is the length of the Bay of Bengal between the mainland of India and Pamban island. While Mandapam was the last railway station on mainland India, Pamban is a small station situated on Pamban island, which further connects to the Rameswaram railway station.

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Karnataka High Court bats for Uniform Civil Code :::: ".... under Hindu law, a daughter is given equal status as a son, the same is not under Mahomedan law"

Karnataka High Court bats for Uniform Civil Code: Will give justice to all women

The court emphasised that personal laws based on religion often result in unequal treatment of citizens-particularly women-despite their equal status under the Indian Constitution.  

"A 'woman' in Hindu law has a birthright equal to that of a son. When under Hindu law, a daughter is given equal status and rights in all respects, enjoying rights as that of a son, the same is not so under Mahomedan law," Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar wrote in his judgment.

He added, "The court is of the opinion that our country needs a Uniform Civil Code in respect of their personal laws and religion. 

Only then the object of Article 14 of the Constitution will be achieved."

The judge also referred to the Constituent Assembly debates, pointing out that the UCC has been a contentious subject since the drafting of the Constitution.

"Dr BR Ambedkar, in his most illustrious speech, argued in favour of the Uniform Civil Code," the order noted, backing Ambedkar's vision for a truly secular and egalitarian India.

These remarks were made during the court's adjudication of a property dispute among the heirs of Abdul Basheer Khan, who died intestate. His children-including Shahnaz Begum, now deceased - became embroiled in a legal battle over the division of his assets. Shahnaz's husband, Sirajuddin Macci, pursued her claim in court after her passing, alleging she had been wrongfully denied her share.

In 2019, a Bengaluru trial court had ruled that three properties belonged to the joint family estate and granted Shahnaz's legal representative a 1/5th share. Her siblings - Samiulla Khan, Noorulla Khan, and Rahath Jan - appealed the ruling, while Sirajuddin filed a cross-objection seeking inclusion of more properties.

Justice Sanjeevkumar, in a recent ruling on a family property dispute, made a strong case for UCC, observing that its enactment would address long-standing inequities across religious personal laws. 

"The enactment of legislation on Uniform Civil Code as enshrined under Article 44 of the Constitution of India will achieve the object and aspirations enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution," the court stated.

The court further observed that the lack of a uniform civil framework has led to unequal treatment of women from different faiths, even though all citizens are equal before the law. 

 The High Court upheld the trial court's findings on the joint family status of the three properties but dismissed the cross-objection, stating there was insufficient evidence to support Sirajuddin's claim over the additional properties.

Nevertheless, it was during this case that the High Court used the opportunity to stress the broader legal and constitutional implications of unequal personal laws. Justice Sanjeevkumar reiterated that enacting a UCC would not only ensure gender equality but also strengthen the democratic and secular fabric of the nation.  

Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement Uniform Civil Code.  

The UCC eliminates discriminatory practices in personal laws, promoting gender equality and women's rights. Simplifies Legal Procedures: associated with marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

The saffron party was the first to promise the implementation of UCC if it comes to power and the issue was part of its 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto.

 

Why is Article 44 important?

 

The objective of Article 44 of the Directive Principles in the Indian Constitution was to address the discrimination against vulnerable groups and harmonise diverse cultural groups across the country. 

Dr B R Ambedkar, while formulating the Constitution had said that a UCC is desirable but for the moment it should remain voluntary, and thus the Article 35 of the draft Constitution was added as a part of the Directive Principles of the State Policy in part IV of the Constitution of India as Article 44. 

It was incorporated in the Constitution as an aspect that would be fulfilled when the nation would be ready to accept it and the social acceptance to the UCC could be made.

 

Ambedkar in his speech in the Constituent Assembly had said, "No one need be apprehensive that if the State has the power, the State will immediately proceed to execute…that power in a manner may be found to be objectionable by the Muslims or by the Christians or by any other community. I think it would be a mad government if it did so."

 

 

The origin of the UCC dates back to colonial India when the British government submitted its report in 1835 stressing the need for uniformity in the codification of Indian law relating to crimes, evidence, and contracts, specifically recommending that personal laws of Hindus and Muslims be kept outside such codification.

Actor-turned-BJP leader and Union Minister Suresh Gopi is in news :::: He defends new Waqf Bill .... faces 'impropriety' issue with regard film L2: Empuraan

Union Minister Suresh Gopi said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill would benefit Kerala's Munambam residents protesting land claims. 

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation and remaining silent in Parliament debates.

“Waqf is an institution meant for the greater good. However, certain barbaric practices within it needed to be eliminated,” he said.

“The Bill is a legal step towards ending such practices, the Union Minister said on Friday.

He said that the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament would benefit the residents of Kerala’s Munambam, who have been protesting for revenue rights over their properties in opposition to the Waqf Board’s claims.

Speaking to reporters, the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism reiterated that the bill would prove advantageous to the residents of Munambam. 

“Waqf is an institution meant for the greater good. However, certain barbaric practices within it needed to be eliminated,” he said, without elaborating, adding that “The Bill is a legal step towards ending such practices.”  

'Who are you to ask? Be very careful...' MP Suresh Gopi's media outburst over Jabalpur attack ......  

During a press interaction, Gopi became visibly agitated when asked about the recent attack on Christians priests in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.  

"Who are you to ask? Who are you asking? Be very careful when you're speaking! Who is this media? The common people here are bigger than you."  

When media persons insisted that the question was valid, Gopi responded angrily, stating that legal action would be taken in connection with the incident.  

On Thursday, the Minister (Suresh Gopi) asserted that the censor board never put any pressure on the makers of Malayalam film 'L2: Empuraan', which is now being shown in theatres after multiple cuts.  

He was replying to CPI MP John Brittas, who had decried the cuts in the Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan as an assault on freedom of speech and expression.

Responding to Brittas, Gopi said: "I am ready to take any punishment if this turns out to be false. It was the decision of the producer and the lead actor of the film, with the permission of the director of the film, to remove 17 portions of the film. 

"It was their decision."  

Gopi also took a dig at CPI-M MP Brittas and asked him whether his party would be courageous enough to re-release the film '51 cuts : T P Chandrasekharan'.  

"He (Brittas) was talking about a cinema Empuraan. Does he dare to have a re-release of 51 cuts: T P Chandrasekharan," the minister said.

The film he mentioned is about Chandrasekharan, a Left party leader, who was hacked to death in 2012 allegedly by his former party workers.

The deceased had sustained 51 injuries on his body before he breathed his last. 

The arguments were exchanged when the Upper House was discussing the Waqf Bill.

ends 

Shahjahan had told his son Aurangzeb -- "... while you deny me an additional pot of drinking water, Hindus are much better as they even offer 'water' to their dead father" : BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi

 The pot will be kept boiling. 

BJP lawmaker Sudhanshu Trivedi said in Rajya Sabha during the debate on Waqf Bill -- that  

"After his arrest emperor Shahjahan had told his son Aurangzeb while you have denied me an additional pot of drinking water, Hindus are much better as they even offer 'water' to their dead father". 

Shahjahan was pained by his son's orders and then he wrote in Parsi - 

"ae fizar tuh ajeeb musalmani je pitre aap tarsani ..... (Sudhanshu quoted a few lines from Shahjahan's letter to Aurangzeb. 

Of  course the reference was greeted by thumping of desks by BJP members and Ministers.  

It is worth mentioning that The new Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 - as passed by both the Houses of Parliament - has received the President’s assent on April 5, officially becoming law.

The Act replaces “Waqf” with “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development.” (UMEED)  

During the debate  BJP MP Sudhashu Trivedi said:

"We stood with brave Muslims, while Congress sided with terrorists...

On the anniversary of Veer Abdul Hamid’s martyrdom in 2015, PM Narendra Modi honoured his entire family, including his wife. 

But during Congress rule, a terrorist like Yasin Malik, who was accused of killing three Air Force officers, was honoured.” 

He also said : “...I want to talk about the Muslim community. Many people don’t even know the history of Muslims. 

When the numeric system first traveled from Bharat, it was Al-Zahrawi who, in 1793, translated Surya Siddhanta into Arabic as Sindh-Hind...”. 

Sudhanshu Trivedi also said:  

“…Jahan Jahan Khuda Hai, Waha Waha Bhagwan Hai... Jo ye kehte hain ki Agra ka Qila, Delhi ka Qila, Hyderabad ka Charminar kiske baap ne banwaya, unke baap ka ye Hindustan nahi hai..” 

He said the real competition is between Sharafat Ali and Shararat Khan adding the Modi Govt is standing with the former.  The new law UMEED symbolises hope for poor Muslims and common people in general.  

He accused previous governments of legalizing dubious land claims by Waqf boards, questioning why similar provisions were not extended to Sikh and Hindu communities. “The British had taken over all the land that once belonged to the Mughals. 

Then how did the Waqf Board’s land claims get legitimized under previous regimes? Why were the lands of Sikhs and Hindus not retrieved in the same manner?"

“When India gained independence, the Muslim community was represented by figures such as Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Fariduddin Dagar, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Hasrat Jaipuri .... 

But today, some sections are associating Muslim identity with individuals like Ishrat Jahan, Yakub Memon, Mukhtar Ansari, Atiq Ahmed, and Dawood Ibrahim. Who is responsible for this change? 

It all stated when India was declared ‘secular’ in 1976, leading to the rise of secular politics.”  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and wrote:

"The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. 

This will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity."

During the debate making intervention, Union Health Minister and BJP president, JP Nadda slammed Opposition for trying to derail the debate with Irrelevant Issues.

“This was derailed, and along with being derailed, it was also deviate. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to witness it in the Lok Sabha. Now, suddenly, this bill is bringing up the Ram Mandir, the Kumbh Mela, Bihar elections, the sale of Air India, and even Kerala’s cinema. This is all about deviation, derailment, and sensationalism...”, he said. 

As a follow up of Home Minister's commitment, Kukis and Meiti leaders meet Central Govt representatives in Delhi

"The path to communication is open," asserted Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the just concluded Parliament session in the context of Manipur and the process of consultations that has been set into motion between Kukis and Meitis. 

The communities have developed huge differences since 2023 and the violence had claimed about 250 lives and displaced a large number of people from either side. 

The Home Minister also had said that a meeting between the two communities from Manipur was/is likely to take place in the national capital. As a follow up of Amit Shah's commitment, Kukis and Meiti leaders met Central Govt representatives in Delhi on Saturday.  

Representatives from All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), the Federation of Civil Society Organizations, Manipur,  (FOCS) and the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) attended the meeting. 

The discussions for obvious reasons remained inconclusive with both sides presenting their view points rather frankly. 

No much details of the deliberations could be ascertained.

Shah had informed the Rajya Sabha that two meetings between the communities had already taken place in Manipur while Budget session of Parliament was on.

"...We are investing our efforts to bring peace back in Manipur. Thirteen meetings have already taken place," Shah told the members.  

Shah also had slammed the opposition for "politicising" the violence and said similar incidents took place in the state during the Congress regime, when no prime minister visited the state.

 Seven years ago, he said, a 225-day curfew was imposed in Manipur.  

At Saturday's meeting (April 5th, 2025),  sources maintained that the parleys were held in cordial atmosphere. 

About 15 leaders from both sides were present. 

Both short term and long term issues discussed and the same dialogue process will continue.

The focus has been on bringing end to the violence and to open the highways.

Authorities also laid emphasis on "deposit" of weapons and also that the return process of the 'internally displaced people' should continue.  

ends 

Sri Lanka confers Mithra Vibhushana award on PM Narendra Modi :::: India inks first defence cooperation pact with Lanka amid China influence

 The award was bestowed on Modi by Dissanayake during a ceremony at the presidential secretariat in Colombo. 

The previous recipients include former Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday conferred with the 'Mithra Vibhushana' award by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in recognition of his role in boosting bilateral ties. 

"It is an honour for me to be awarded the Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana by President Dissanayake. It is also an honour for 1.4 billion Indians," Modi said in his remarks. 

The award was bestowed on Modi by Dissanayake during a ceremony at the presidential secretariat in Colombo. 

The recipient of the honour is awarded a citation and a silver medal to be worn around the neck, studded and adorned with nine types of Sri Lankan gems and the symbols of a lotus, globe, sun, moon and sheaves of rice.  

The Dharma Chakra on the medal reflects the shared Buddhist heritage that has shaped the cultural traditions of both nations. 

The Pun Kalasa or ceremonial pot adorned with sheaves of rice symbolises prosperity and renewal, according to an official. 

The Navarathna or nine precious gems are depicted within a globe encircled by lotus petals. 

PM Modi arrived Colombo on Friday  evening after concluding his trip to Bangkok where he attended a summit of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

The award, the highest civilian honour of the island nation, was instituted in February 2008 by then President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

In a big announcement and relief to several fishermen from Tamil Nadu, PM Modi said that he had also raised their concerns and declared that Sri Lanka has agreed to the immediate release of any Indian fishermen and the prompt return of their boats.

PM's first visit since President Dissanayake took office. 

Key agreements signed on defence, energy and trade

Katchatheevu island, fishermen's issues were discussed

Recurring arrests of fishermen by Lanka have been a longstanding conflict

PM says matter should be handled with a humane approach

Signs first defence cooperation pact with Lanka amid China influence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he sought the immediate release of Tamil fishermen and the return of their boats during his bilateral with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Recurring arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu and the seizures of their boats by Sri Lankan authorities have been a long-standing conflict between the two countries.

"The Indian side emphasised the immediate release of the fishermen and the return of their boats. We agreed that we should move forward in this matter with a humane approach," PM Modi said, with the President by his side.